Water Service - Understanding the Process

CAM 1202

All new water services or changes to existing water services within SPU’s direct water service area are regulated and approved by SPU. This includes the cities of Seattle, Shoreline, Burien, Renton, Lake Forest Park, and unincorporated King County.

Check for water availability before developing a property

Before developing a property in an SPU water service area, you must request a water availability certificate(pdf). This will verify if water service is available for the parcel.

2. Complete a water service application and agreement

Any property owner who wants a new connection to Seattle’s water supply system or to change their existing water service must agree to the rules and regulations of this agreement. You will need to provide a completed water service application & agreement form(pdf).

If you have additional water services (such as a short plat or unit lot subdivision), complete an addendum to add additional water service(pdf) for each of the assigned addresses. A separate application is not required for each address.

Obtain any required easement documents recorded by King County (private or public).

For 4-inch and greater water services only (or as required):

A profile (cross-section) that shows the depth of each existing and proposed utility.

Plan signed and stamped by a Washington state licensed engineer or surveyor.

4. Pay your invoice

After completing the steps above, you will receive an invoice via email. Pay your invoice following the payment instructions on the second page of your invoice.

For new water services or changes to your existing 2-inch or less service, invoices are based on a standard menu of charges.

For new water service connections or changes to your existing 4-inch or greater water service, invoices are based on-site specific costs, which delays the invoice generation by approximately 2 weeks.

5. SPU installs your water service

After the invoice is paid, SPU will generate a work order for the field crews to install your water service in the ROW. The SPU crew chief will coordinate the installation with the primary project contact.

6. Install the private water line and associated backflow protection

The property owner is responsible to install and maintain the private water line and any required backflow protection equipment from the city union to the building’s plumbing connection.

Note: Step 6 can occur before Step 5 based on your construction schedule.

To avoid possible delays and additional costs, call (206) 684-3536 for assistance in determining if backflow protection is required for your water service connection.

Before covering, call (206) 684-5800 to request an inspection of the underground water service lines on property after installation.

After underground water lines are connected and where backflow protection was required, call (206) 684-3536 to schedule a backflow inspection. Ensure that you meet all fire department standards for the property.

8. Multiple service flow test

If multiple services for one project are purchased (or existing), contact your project lead or the Development Services Office to request a multi-service flow test. This inspection is in addition to all other inspections that are required when establishing a new or renewal of water service(s) on property where 2 or more services exist or have been installed. This requirement generally applies to a project that is associated with a unit lot subdivision.

You are responsible for:

Providing legal addresses assigned to your project.

Providing locations of meters (if not directly located at the frontage of the property).

Scheduling an appointment with a utility service inspector (USI).

Call (206) 684-5803 from 8 - 9 a.m. to schedule an on-site same-day appointment (appointments will have a window of no less than 2 hours).

You or your representative will be required to be on-site during a scheduled appointment to provide assistance and access to the property, hose bibs, removal of debris over meter boxes, etc.

If you fail to keep your scheduled appointment, a second trip assessment fee of $210 will be added to your account.

Reduce delays

Changes to your approved utility site plan must be approved prior to SPU’s field crew scheduling the first field visit. Contact your project lead as early as possible if you have revisions to your approved utility plan.

Changes to a project after a WAC is issued, particularly changes in lot configuration, require a new WAC which can result in delays or additional costs to your project.

WACs expire 18 months from the date of issue. Be sure your WAC is valid when applying for a water service.

Notify SPU when an extra water service is required, such as a fire or irrigation service. Each separate water service line needs a water meter.

How are water services regulated?

Seattle Municipal Code (SMC) outlines water rates and regulations in SMC Chapter 21.04. The State of Washington defines basic regulatory requirements to protect the health of consumers using public drinking water in WAC Chapter 246-290.

Legal disclaimer
This Client Assistance Memo (CAM) should not be used as a substitute for codes and regulations. The applicant is responsible for compliance with all code and rule requirements, whether or not described in this CAM.